When people worry about hearing loss, they worry about not being able to communicate with family and friends, and losing their social lives. But there are other things to consider. Like how not being able to hear can be a real obstacle to the daily activities of your life, like going to the grocery store, for example.

What happens when you can’t hear the announcements on the overhead speaker, or you can’t hear the cashier when they tell you your total? Hearing loss in noisy settings is something that both those with and without hearing aids have to deal with, and many public places are taking note.

Hearing Loops Help You Hear

Public places across the United States are now installing hearing loops. These hearing loops – also known as “induction loop systems” – act like loud speakers for people who are wearing hearing aids. The system uses magnetically transmitted sound which gets delivered straight to the hearing aids. These loops only work with hearing aids that have telecoils, or t-coils. Luckily, these coils are found in most new hearing aids.

Hearing Loops Are Everywhere

Hearing loops are becoming more and more common in shopping malls, theatres, grocery stores and sports facilities across the country. As the population ages and hearing loss becomes more common, hearing loops are making it easier for more people to hear in public places.

New York City Takes On Hearing Loops

The first grocery store to use a hearing loop in New York City was Fairway Market, where a hearing loop was installed at the deli counter just this past year. The grocery store noted that the deli counter is very busy, and can be a difficult place for those customers with hearing impairment to navigate. Now, employees speak into a microphone that is connected to the hearing loop, and the loop sends the sound wirelessly directly to the hearing aids of customers who are wearing them.

Live Life To The Fullest

This is just one example of how the world is shifting to accommodate those with hearing impairment. Your life doesn’t have to be put on the back burner because you have hearing loss. Just the opposite – life can still be lived to the fullest, with all the sounds intact. And with today’s tiny – virtually invisible – hearing aids, no one has to know you’re wearing them!